Trading Vietnam.(trade relations between Vietnam and United States)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Vietnam says it's open to trade but is the country finally open to business?

One of the only immediate and tangible trade benefits that came from President Clinton's mid-November visit to Hanoi was that Vietnam Airlines signed a letter of intent to buy up to three new 777-200 aircraft, as well as to lease a fourth 767-300. That's surely good news for Boeing and presumably for members of Vietnam Airlines' frequent flier plan, but the only other gains came in the expectations that trade between the United States and Vietnam may finally grow.

The Clinton visit was largely a goodwill gesture building on the trade pact the country's signed July 13, but to the world's trading community that agreement and the president's enthusiastic reception also are raising expectations that Vietnam's government is …